Ffmpeg Transitions Effects

CRITICAL GUIDELINES

Windows File Path Requirements

MANDATORY: Always Use Backslashes on Windows for File Paths

When using Edit or Write tools on Windows, you MUST use backslashes (\) in file paths, NOT forward slashes (/).

Documentation Guidelines

NEVER create new documentation files unless explicitly requested by the user.

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Quick Reference

When to Use This Skill

Use for video transition workflows:

• Joining clips with professional transitions
• Creating slideshows from images
• Adding fade in/out effects
• Multi-clip sequence editing
• Custom transition expressions

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FFmpeg Transitions and Effects (2025)

Complete guide to video transitions, crossfades, and creative effects using FFmpeg.

Transition Overview

Available Methods

xfade Transition Types

FFmpeg's xfade filter supports 40+ built-in transitions:

Basic Fade Effects

Fade In/Out (Single Clip)

# Fade in from black (first 2 seconds)
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=in:st=0:d=2" \
  -c:a copy \
  fade_in.mp4

# Fade out to black (last 2 seconds)
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=out:st=8:d=2" \
  -c:a copy \
  fade_out.mp4

# Both fade in and fade out
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=in:st=0:d=1,fade=t=out:st=9:d=1" \
  -c:a copy \
  fade_both.mp4

# Fade to white instead of black
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=out:st=8:d=2:color=white" \
  -c:a copy \
  fade_white.mp4

Fade with Audio

# Video and audio fade in/out together
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=in:st=0:d=2,fade=t=out:st=8:d=2" \
  -af "afade=t=in:st=0:d=2,afade=t=out:st=8:d=2" \
  fade_complete.mp4

# Audio crossfade between two files
ffmpeg -i audio1.mp3 -i audio2.mp3 \
  -filter_complex "[0][1]acrossfade=d=3:c1=tri:c2=tri" \
  crossfade.mp3

xfade Transitions (Between Clips)

Basic xfade Usage

# Simple crossfade between two clips
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v];\
                   [0:a][1:a]acrossfade=d=1[a]" \
  -map "[v]" -map "[a]" \
  output.mp4

Parameters:

• transition: Type of transition effect
• duration: Transition duration in seconds
• offset: When to start transition (from first clip)

Common Transition Effects

# Dissolve (pixel-based crossfade)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=dissolve:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" dissolve.mp4

# Wipe left to right
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=wipeleft:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" wipe_left.mp4

# Wipe right to left
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=wiperight:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" wipe_right.mp4

# Slide left
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=slideleft:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" slide_left.mp4

# Circle open (iris)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=circleopen:duration=1.5:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" circle_open.mp4

# Circle close
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=circleclose:duration=1.5:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" circle_close.mp4

# Radial wipe
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=radial:duration=1.5:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" radial.mp4

# Zoom in
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=zoomin:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" zoom_in.mp4

# Pixelize transition
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=pixelize:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" pixelize.mp4

# Diagonal wipe (top-left to bottom-right)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=diagtl:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" diag_tl.mp4

# Horizontal blur
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=hblur:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" hblur.mp4

All xfade Transition Types

# Fades
fade        # Standard crossfade
fadeblack   # Fade through black
fadewhite   # Fade through white
fadegrays   # Fade through gray

# Wipes
wipeleft    # Left to right wipe
wiperight   # Right to left wipe
wipeup      # Bottom to top wipe
wipedown    # Top to bottom wipe
wipetl      # Wipe from top-left corner
wipetr      # Wipe from top-right corner
wipebl      # Wipe from bottom-left corner
wipebr      # Wipe from bottom-right corner

# Slides
slideleft   # Slide new clip from right
slideright  # Slide new clip from left
slideup     # Slide new clip from bottom
slidedown   # Slide new clip from top

# Reveals
revealleft  # Reveal from right edge
revealright # Reveal from left edge
revealup    # Reveal from bottom edge
revealdown  # Reveal from top edge

# Open/Close
horzopen    # Horizontal opening (curtain)
horzclose   # Horizontal closing
vertopen    # Vertical opening
vertclose   # Vertical closing
circleopen  # Circle iris open
circleclose # Circle iris close

# Shapes
circlecrop  # Circle crop transition
rectcrop    # Rectangle crop transition
radial      # Radial/clock wipe

# Diagonals
diagtl      # Diagonal from top-left
diagtr      # Diagonal from top-right
diagbl      # Diagonal from bottom-left
diagbr      # Diagonal from bottom-right

# Pixel Effects
dissolve    # Random pixel dissolve
pixelize    # Pixelization effect
hlslice     # Horizontal left slice
hrslice     # Horizontal right slice
vuslice     # Vertical up slice
vdslice     # Vertical down slice

# Other
zoomin      # Zoom into new clip
squeezeh    # Horizontal squeeze
squeezev    # Vertical squeeze
hlwind      # Horizontal left wind
hrwind      # Horizontal right wind
vuwind      # Vertical up wind
vdwind      # Vertical down wind
coverleft   # Cover from right
coverright  # Cover from left
coverup     # Cover from bottom
coverdown   # Cover from top

Multiple Clip Transitions

Three Clips with Transitions

# Calculate offsets: clip1=5s, clip2=5s, clip3=5s, transition=1s
# offset1 = clip1_duration - transition = 5-1 = 4
# offset2 = clip1_duration + clip2_duration - 2*transition = 5+5-2 = 8

ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -i clip3.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v1];\
    [v1][2:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=8[v];\
    [0:a][1:a]acrossfade=d=1[a1];\
    [a1][2:a]acrossfade=d=1[a]" \
  -map "[v]" -map "[a]" \
  three_clips.mp4

Slideshow with Transitions

#!/bin/bash
# slideshow.sh - Create slideshow from images with transitions

DURATION=3      # Each image duration
TRANSITION=1    # Transition duration
FPS=30

# Generate input commands
inputs=""
for img in *.jpg; do
    inputs="$inputs -loop 1 -t $DURATION -i $img"
done

# Calculate filter for 4 images
# Adjust offsets based on image count
ffmpeg $inputs \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1,fps=$FPS[v0];\
    [1:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1,fps=$FPS[v1];\
    [2:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1,fps=$FPS[v2];\
    [3:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1,fps=$FPS[v3];\
    [v0][v1]xfade=transition=fade:duration=$TRANSITION:offset=$((DURATION-TRANSITION))[x1];\
    [x1][v2]xfade=transition=wipeleft:duration=$TRANSITION:offset=$((2*DURATION-2*TRANSITION))[x2];\
    [x2][v3]xfade=transition=circleopen:duration=$TRANSITION:offset=$((3*DURATION-3*TRANSITION))[v]" \
  -map "[v]" -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p \
  slideshow.mp4

Different Transitions per Cut

# Use different transitions between each clip
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -i clip3.mp4 -i clip4.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[x1];\
    [x1][2:v]xfade=transition=wipeleft:duration=1:offset=8[x2];\
    [x2][3:v]xfade=transition=circleopen:duration=1.5:offset=12[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  varied_transitions.mp4

Custom Transitions with Expressions

Custom xfade Expression

# Custom diagonal wipe with easing
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=custom:duration=1:offset=4:\
    expr='if(gt(X+Y,W+H*P),B,A)'[v]" \
  -map "[v]" custom_diag.mp4

# Smooth custom fade
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=custom:duration=1:offset=4:\
    expr='A*(1-P)+B*P'[v]" \
  -map "[v]" smooth_fade.mp4

# Circular reveal with custom center
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=custom:duration=1.5:offset=4:\
    expr='if(gt(sqrt(pow(X-W/2,2)+pow(Y-H/2,2)),P*sqrt(pow(W/2,2)+pow(H/2,2))),A,B)'[v]" \
  -map "[v]" circle_reveal.mp4

Expression Variables

Advanced Transition Techniques

Luma/Alpha Matte Transitions

# Using a gradient image as transition mask
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -loop 1 -i gradient.png \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]format=rgba[a];\
    [1:v]format=rgba[b];\
    [2:v]format=gray,scale=1920:1080[mask];\
    [a][b][mask]maskedmerge[v]" \
  -map "[v]" -t 5 \
  luma_transition.mp4

Motion Blur Transition

# Add motion blur during transition
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]split[a1][a2];\
    [1:v]split[b1][b2];\
    [a1][b1]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[fade];\
    [fade]tblend=all_mode=average:all_opacity=0.5[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  blur_transition.mp4

Push/Reveal Transition

# Push left (new clip pushes old off screen)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]fps=30[a];\
    [1:v]fps=30[b];\
    [a][b]xfade=transition=slideleft:duration=0.5:offset=4.5[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  push_left.mp4

# Cover transition (new clip covers old)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=coverright:duration=0.75:offset=4.25[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  cover_right.mp4

Zoom with Ken Burns Effect

# Zoom transition with motion
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]scale=2*iw:-1,zoompan=z='min(zoom+0.0015,1.5)':d=150:s=1920x1080[a];\
    [1:v][a]xfade=transition=zoomin:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" -t 6 \
  zoom_transition.mp4

Transition with Text/Graphics

Title Card Transition

# Fade to title card, then fade to next clip
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 \
  -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1920x1080:d=3" \
  -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [1:v]drawtext=text='Chapter 2':fontsize=72:fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2[title];\
    [0:v][title]xfade=transition=fadeblack:duration=1:offset=4[x1];\
    [x1][2:v]xfade=transition=fadeblack:duration=1:offset=6[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  title_transition.mp4

Lower Third Transition

# Animate lower third with clip transition
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -i lower_third.png \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[bg];\
    [2:v]format=rgba[lt];\
    [bg][lt]overlay=x=50:y=H-h-50:enable='between(t,1,4)'[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  lower_third_trans.mp4

Performance Optimization

Hardware-Accelerated Transitions

# Use NVENC for faster encoding after transition
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  -c:v h264_nvenc -preset fast \
  output.mp4

# Hardware decode + CPU transition + hardware encode
ffmpeg -hwaccel cuda -i clip1.mp4 -hwaccel cuda -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=dissolve:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  -c:v h264_nvenc \
  output.mp4

Optimize for Preview

# Lower resolution preview
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]scale=640:360[a];\
    [1:v]scale=640:360[b];\
    [a][b]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  -c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast \
  preview.mp4

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Discordant resolution" error

# Ensure both clips have same resolution
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1[a];\
    [1:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1[b];\
    [a][b]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" output.mp4

"Input streams have different frame rates" warning

# Normalize frame rates
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]fps=30[a];\
    [1:v]fps=30[b];\
    [a][b]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" output.mp4

Offset calculation for multiple clips

For clips of duration D with transition T:
- offset1 = D - T
- offset2 = 2D - 2T
- offset3 = 3D - 3T
- offsetN = N*D - N*T

Audio doesn't match video transition

# Sync audio crossfade with video xfade
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v];\
    [0:a][1:a]acrossfade=d=1:c1=tri:c2=tri[a]" \
  -map "[v]" -map "[a]" \
  output.mp4

Verification Commands

# Check clip durations before creating transitions
ffprobe -v error -show_entries format=duration -of default=noprint_wrappers=1:nokey=1 clip1.mp4

# Check frame rate
ffprobe -v error -select_streams v -show_entries stream=r_frame_rate -of default=noprint_wrappers=1:nokey=1 clip1.mp4

# Check resolution
ffprobe -v error -select_streams v:0 -show_entries stream=width,height -of csv=p=0 clip1.mp4

Best Practices

Timing

1. Standard transition duration: 0.5-1.5 seconds 2. Match transition style to content mood 3. Use consistent transitions within a sequence 4. Avoid overly long transitions (>2 seconds)

Quality

1. Normalize resolution and frame rate before transitions 2. Use high-quality presets for final render 3. Test transitions at full resolution before batch processing 4. Consider color matching between clips

Style Guidelines

1. Fade/dissolve: Universal, professional 2. Wipes: Energetic, action content 3. Slides/pushes: Modern, dynamic 4. Circle/iris: Dramatic, theatrical 5. Pixelize/blur: Creative, artistic

This guide covers FFmpeg transitions. For drawing shapes and graphics, see the shapes-graphics skill.